SENATOR ANTHONY PALUMBO URGES INCOMING GOVERNOR HOCHUL TO APPOINT NEW JCOPE COMMISSIONERS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, September 7, 2021

CONTACT: Chris Stazio, 518-221-9460, stazio@nysenate.gov

In the wake of the resignation of three members of the Joint Commission on Public Ethics, Senator Anthony Palumbo (R, C-New Suffolk), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Internal Governance, today penned a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul calling on her to fill the vacancies expeditiously so they won’t cause a standstill in the Commission’s investigations into former Governor Cuomo.

“Appointing new members to temporarily fill these positions is critical so that vacancies will not prevent the commission from functioning at its next meeting scheduled for September 14th. Regrettably, this could result in the stealth improper exoneration of the former governor by JCOPE on various matters, which would be wholly unacceptable. Alternatively, by swiftly appointing new members, you have the opportunity to appoint individuals who can help JCOPE thoroughly investigate the numerous potential improprieties committed by the former governor. Public officials are not above the law and should not be treated as so,” wrote Senator Palumbo. 

Today’s letter follows up on an August 20 letter Senator Palumbo wrote to incoming Governor Kathy Hochul prior to her swearing-in urging her to make an overhaul of the Joint Commission on Public Ethics a top priority of her administration.

A full copy of the letter is attached.